Abolition of private property is not a demand, reform or a concession to be sought from the bourgeoisie. .
^^^^^^^ CB: It's a fundamental goal and aim of the movement. Here it is in the Manifesto. The distinguishing feature of Communism is not the abolition of property generally, but the abolition of bourgeois property. But modern bourgeois private property is the final and most complete expression of the system of producing and appropriating products, that is based on class antagonisms, on the exploitation of the many by the few. _In this sense, the theory of the Communists may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of private property. _ (emphasis added -CB) Comment Apparently we understand the word theory different. The theory of communism is not a demand. Nor is the theory of communism a reform or the fight for a concession. "In this sense, the theory of the Communists may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of private property. " To me this sentence could not be clearer. What seems to be wrong is a misreading of the word theory. Further, you fight straw men of your own creation. No communist I know has ever raised the abolition of private property as a demand, concession or reform. You suggest that I have when in fact you must know I have not. Simply show where anyone . . . . including myself . . . have over the past 40 years raised the abolition of private property as a demand? ********* WL: There is of course a deeper issue and that is the communist approach to work in the legislative and electoral arena. I have some direct experience in this arena, as well as negotiation with the representatives of institutional capital. Communist most certainly must volunteer or be assigned to this arena of struggle. Most of our communist work is however non-electoral. ^^^^^^ CB: Well, it's electoral and lobbying. I wouldn't say most of it is _not_ electoral, as lobbying is linked to electoral. Comment If most of communist work is electoral and not educational then what have you been doing the past 30 years as evidence that you actually believe this? Share your electoral experience. I most certainly have over the years. I ask because it seems you are not thinking out what you write and simply respond our of passion. Electoral work means lobbying by definition. I really don't understand why mentioning lobbying as linked to electoral work is important when electoral work means Lobbying, someone and groups as the precondition to do anything. Bizarre. 90% of communist work is education. For instance when we recruit say a worker in the plant active in the union, or with her fellow workers, our Job 1 is to help them do better what they are already doing and to educate them as communists. When we recruit someone involved in electoral work our Job 1 is to help them better do what they are already doing and to educate them. What we bring as communists to the game is vision, leadership and class outlook. For instance a tremendous legislative battle is underway right now over expanding the unions ability to recruit union supporters and form a union. While all communists I know and all the lists I participate in support such legislation, our task as communists remains to talk about class and class outlook. Especially on Marxist List servs. ******* WL. We are to understand that the extension of unemployment benefit is not a concession but a touchdown. ^^^^ CB: A first down on the way to a touchdown. You are, for some reason , ignoring that I nowhere said extension of unemployment benefits is the only task for working class struggle. That is a fairly obvious strawman argument on this thread. Comment Well of course I agree with the above. A first down is a more realistic assessment. Cheering for a first down is realistic but that is not how any of this discussion about concessions, reforms and demands have been shaped. That is what was wrong. There are a lot of issues on the table. I do not think you have limited any of the discussion to one issue. For instance both of us are "big" on health care reform; expansion of public education, expansion of the welfare system for all, not just the poorest workers. For instance food stamps should be made available to anyone with a need, regardless of economic layer of the working class. Even the issue of mortgage should proceed from the standpoint of the poorest workers but extend to all layers of the working class, as their economic need intersects with the poorest workers. For instance every layer of the working class should have an opportunity to refinance at a 4% rate, an issue that has been raised in the national dialogue. Why? Because the more stable sections of the working class will rebel and not support legislation and programs that exclude them. This matter of the meaning of class intersection means working class because what is intersecting is the various layers of the working class. WL. **************Need a job? Find employment help in your area. (http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=employment_agencies&ncid=emlcntusyelp00000005) _______________________________________________ Marxism-Thaxis mailing list Marxism-Thaxis@lists.econ.utah.edu To change your options or unsubscribe go to: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism-thaxis
